Child Tax Credit

[spoleto]

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered many times already, but I've not found an answer in my search through the posts.

My situation and question is this: We moved here a little over a year ago when my husband started teaching at Oxford University. His position there is potentially permanent (he's reviewed after five years). Both of our passports/visas say 'No recourse to public funds'. However, I'm wondering whether this can be appealed? Specifically, I'm interested in the Child Tax Credit--we have immigrant friends who have said that they receive the benefit, but we were denied when I applied for our children. We've not left the country since we arrived, and this is our permanent home (at least, until the visas expire and/or until we're eligible to apply for permanent residency).

If it's not able to be appealed, is there an explanation somewhere regarding who IS eligible and how/why?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[vinny]

See also Public funds and Section 7 - Public funds.